Electric time switch



March 16 1926;. 1,577,300

I E. SCHANKE v ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Filed May 4, 1925 (J J 0.1) I v 7 1g I 16 9 17 il l iv 1 a) Patented- Mar. 16 1926;

teea mmorriee.

EDWARD scams, OF SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA.

mncrnrc emu swim on.

Application filed may a, 1925. Serial 110. 27,880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD SGHANKE, a

citizen of the United States, residing inthe city of Santa Rosa, in the county of Sonoma and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in an Electric Time Switch, of which the following is a specification. 4

My invention relates to improvements in electric time switches and the like wherein a rotatable-contact is arranged to.-be engaged and moved by a contact carried by the hour. hand of a clock mechanism for closing, and maintaining closed circuit, and'to be moved out of enga ement with saidhour hand contact to brea the circuit at a predetermined time and permit independent movement of the hour hand.

In many lines of business and industry it is frequently necessary to'close electric circuits, such as illuminating circuits, for limited periods of time at night or at other times when an attendant is not present to attend to it. An instance of this is in the illuminating of store display windows wherein it is desired to closethe circuit for a limited time during theevening to permit passersby to observe the window displays. Another notable instance, and one, for which the present invention is particularly suited, is in the raising of poultry wherein it is desired to illuminate the hen houses for a limited period during the night whereby the hen will be awakened and caused to exercise generally accepted as improving the production of eggs by the hens must be varied in accordance with the seasons and with respect to varying conditions, and as a result it is essential that the mechanism be adapted to be readily adjusted and of a rugged construction adapted to withstand exposure and rough usage. My present invention is therefore directed to an improved mechanism of the character mentioned which will adequately meet these requirements and which will form an eflicient means for closing and breaking a circuit at predetermined times.

. The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved mechanism for closing and breaking an electric circuit at predetermined times.

Another object is to provide a device which may be readily adjusted to close a circuit at a desired time and to break the cirpuit after a desired predetermined lapse of A. further object is to provide a device of the character described which will be simpie and rugged in construction and which will clearly indicate the setting of the circuit closing and breaking elements as well as indicating time in the ordinary manner.

A further object is to provide a device wherein a single adjusting element is arranged to operate the adjustments for both opemng an closing the circuit at stated tlmes.

A still further object is to provide a device wherein a positive contact is made between contacts carried with the hour hand of a clock whereby a circuit may be kept closed throughout a desired period or movement of said hour hand.

I accomplish these and other objects by means of the novel device disclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present irivention wherein like characters of referencecontacts and the manner in which it is set to close and open a. circuit at stated times.

Fig. 2 is asectional view taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 in the direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail showing the manner in which the contacts engage to close a" circuit and the adjusting means for the rotatable contact and stop.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail showing, in

elevation, the manner in which the contacts are. moved by the hour' hand.

- Referring to the drawings the numeral 1 is used to designate in general the dial of a clock provided with the usual minute and hour hands 2 and 3 which are mounted upon a'central arbor 4 and actuated by a spring driven train of gears, indicated in general by the numeral 6, as in the ordinary clock mechanism. The arrangement and construction of such clock mechanism is well known in the art and requires no detailed disclosure annular contact 7 connected to one side 8 of an electric circuit through a suitable connection 9 and binding post 11. An annular rin 12 is rotatably mounted ugon the face of t e dial concentrically with t e contact 7.

' The ring- 12 is connected through a connecthe electric circuit. The ring 12 is insulated from the contact 7 by making the dial of insulatin material or in other suitable manner. E ectrical connection ismaintained between the connection 13 and the ring 12 through a sliding spring contact of any suitable character whereby the ring may be kept energized when rotated toany position.

The ring 12 is provided with a contact finger 17 extending radially from ring in slightly spaced relation to the face of the dial.

A spring contact 18 is mounted upon the under side of the hour hand 3 in insulated relation thereto, said contact 18- being arranged to engage theupper surface of the annular contact 7 and form. electrical con-. nection therethrough at all positions of the hour hand. The contact 18 is provided with a lip 19 adapted to engage an outwardly disposed extension 21 formed upon the end of the contact finger 17 to form an electrical connection between the rin s 7 and 12 and to cause the finger 17 and its ring to be rotated with the hour hand 3.

The contact finger 17 is constructed with sufficient spring resilience to normally maintain the extension 21 in the path of the lip 19 as the'spring contact 18 is moved by the hour hand and to permit said finger to be depressed to move the extension out of engagement with the lip when desired. The finger is depressed by means of a stop 22 mounted upon a rin 23 which is rotatably mounted upon the dial between the ring 12 and the contact 7 andconcentric therewith. The stop 22 consists of an outwardly inclined member extending past'the plane of the finger 17 wherebythe finger may be moved against the under surface of the memher, said under surface constituting a cam surface adapted to depress the finger and thereby move the extension 21 out of the path of the lip 19.

Annular gears 24 and 26 are mounted upon the rings 12 and 23 respectively in back of the dial 1. Theteeth of the gears 24 and 26 are arranged to be engaged by teeth formed upon opposite ends of a driving pinion 27 mounted upon one end of a shaft 28 slidably and rotatably mounted in back of the dial and having the other end extending outwardly from a housing 29 enclosing the clock mechanism. The pinion is normally held in neutral position disengaged from both gears by meansof springs 31 arranged to exert a balanced pressure upon the shaft whereby the shaft may be moved longitudinally to cause either gear 24 or 26 to be I engaged as desired, the shaft and pinion being returned to neutral position as soon as released. The rings 12 and 23 and their respective gears are mounted upon the dial by means of rings 30 and 32 provided with flanges 33 and 34 engaging shoulders 36 and 37 formed upon the gears, said ring 32 being arranged to exert sufficient, friction against the shoulder 34 to normally hold the ring 23 against rotation, while a lesser degree of friction is exerted against the shoulder 33 by the ring 30 to permit the ring 12 to be moved by the pressure exerted by the hour hand.

In operation, the clock mechanism operates in the well known manner to 'move the hands 2 and 3 to indicate time by their relation to indices 38 arranged around the outer edge of the dial. One side of the line 'to an illuminating or other, circuit is broken and the ends 8' and 16 connected to the binding posts 11 and 14 whereby the annular contacts 7 and 12 are connected to thecircuitbut the circuit itself is broken between said annular contacts.

' In setting the device the shaft 28 is moved inwardly to cause the pinion 27 to engage the gear 24 and is then rotated to turn the finger 17 to a desired position as indicated by indices 39 arranged upon the face of the dial adjacent the annular contact 7. When the finger 17 has been set, the shaft is moved outwardly to cause the pinion to engage the gear 26 which is then rotated to move the stop 22 to a desired position as indicated by a pointer 41 arranged to indicate the'setting with respect to calibrations 42 associated with the indices 39. The shaft is then released and is moved to its neutral position by the spring 31.

As thus set the electric circuit will remain broken until the hour hand is moved to bring the spring contact 18 into engagement with the finger 17. When this occurs an electrical connection is formed between the spring contact and the finger and the electric circuit is closed. As the hour hand continues to move the finger is carried for- .wardly with said hour hand and contact maintained to keep the circuit in closed condition. The circuit will thus remain closed I until the movement of the finger 17 is interrupted by'engagement with the stop 22.

'hour hand and to bridge the space between the annular members 7 and 12 throughout any desired movement of the hour hand.

rom the'above ex lanation it :will be seen that I have provi ed a sim le and efficient means for making and reaking a circuit at desired times. rugged construction which may be readily assembled in connection with the clock mechupon the hour hand and adapted to maintain connection with the annular contact; a second annular contact insulated from the first and adapted to maintain connection with the other side of the electric circuit; and acontact finger mounted upon the second annular contact and adapted to be engaged by the spring contact to close the circuit through said contacts and moved therewith to maintain the circuit in closed condition; andmeans for moving the contact finger out of the path of the spring contact to break the circuit.

2. In atime switch, the combination with the dial and hour hand of a clock mechanism, of anannular contact mounted upon .the dial and connected to one side of an electric circuit; a spring contact mounted upon the hour hand and adapted to maintain connection with the annular contact; a second annular contact insulated from the first and adapted to maintain connection with the other side of the electric cir cuit; and a contact finger'mounted upon the second annular contact and adapted to be engaged by the spring contact to close the circuit through said contacts and moved therewith to. maintain the circuit in closed condition; and means adjustably mounted upon the dial to be engaged by the contact finger at a predetermined time whereby said finger may be moved out of the path of the spring contact to break the circuit therebe: tween.

3. In a time switch, the combination with the dial and hour hand of a clock mechanism of an annular contact mounted upon the dial and connected to one side of an electric circuit; a spring contact mounted upon the hour hand and adapted to main- The device is of connection with the electric circuit and provided with a contact finger adapted to be engaged by the spring contact to close the electric circuit, said nger being adapted to be moved with the hour hand by the spring contact to maintain the circuit in closed condition; and means for setting the contact finger at a desired position whereby the circui't may be closed at a predetermined time.

4. In a time switch, the combination with the dial and hour hand of a clock mechanism of an annular contact mounted upon the dial and connected to one side of an electric circuit; a spring contact mounted upon the hour hand and adapted to maintain connection with the annular contact; a second annular contact rotatably mount ed upon the dial and-insulated from the first annular contact and adapted to maintain connection with the electric circuit and provided with a contact finger adapted to be engaged by the spring contact to close the electric circuit, said finger being adapted to be moved with the hour hand by the spring contact to maintain the circuit in closed condition; and means for setting the contact finger at a desired osition whereby the circuit may be closed time; and means for depressmg the finger out of the path of the spring contact at a predetermined time whereby the circuit may be broken-and the spring contact and hour hand permitted to move past the contact finger.

5. In a time switclnthe combination with the dial and hour hand of a clock mechanism of an annular contact mounted upon the dial and connected to one side of an electric circuit; a spring contact mounted upon the hour hand and adapted to maintain connection with the annular contact; a second annular contact rotatably mounted upon the dial and insulated from the first annular contact and adapted to manitain connection with the electric circuit and provided with a contact finger adapted to be engaged by the spring contact to close the electric circuit, said finger being adapted to be moved with the hour hand by the spring contact to maintain the circuit in closed condition; and means for setting the contact finger at a desired position whereby the circuit may be closed at a predeten.

mined time; and a stop rotatably mounted upon the dial and adapted tobe set at a desired position for depressing the contact finger out of the path of the spring contact whereby the circuit may be broken and the spring contact and hour hand released for independent movement.

at a peredtermined 6. In a time switch, the combination with the dial and hour hand of a clock mechanism of an annular contact mounted upon the dial and connected to one side of an electric circuit; a spring contact mounted upon the hour hand and adapted to maintain connection with the annular contact; a second annular contact rotatably mounted upon the dial and insulated from the first annular contact and adapted to maintain connection with the electric circuit said circuit being normally broken between said- [annular contacts; a contact finger mounted in connection with the second annular contact and adapted to be engaged by the' spring contact whereby the circuit may be closed between the finger and the spring contact and the finger and annular contact rotated with the hour hand and spring contact to maintain a closed connection; a

stop rotatably mounted upon the dial andadapted to move the finger out of engagement with the spring contact; and means for adjusting the finger and the stop to positions adapted to close and break the circuit at predetermined times.

7 In a time switch, the combination with a dial and hour hand of a clock mechanism of an annular contact mounted' upon the dial and connected to one side of an electric circuit; a spring contact mounted upon the hour hand and adapted to maintain connection with the annular contact; a second annular contact rotatably mounted upon the dial and adapted to maintain connection with the electric circuit said second contact being insulated from the first to normally break the circuit therebetween; a contact finger mounted in connection with the second annular contact and adapted to be engaged by the spring contact whereby the circuit may be closed between the finger and the spring contact and the finger and annular. contact rotated with the hour hand and spring contact to maintain a closed connection; a stop rotatably mounted upon the dial and adapted to move the finger out of engagement with the spring contact; and an adjugting element slidably movable to engage the rotatable contact and the stop and rotatably movable for turningv said contact and stop to' desired positions upon the dial whereby the circuit may be closed and broken at desired times.

8., In a time switch, the combination with a dial and hour hand of a clock mechanism of an annular contact mounted upon the dial and connected to one side of an electric circuit; a spring contact mounted upon the hour hand and adapted to maintain connection with the annular contact; a second annular contact rotatably mounted upon the dial and adapted to maintain connection lar contact rotated with the hour hand and 1 spring contact to maintain a closedconnection; a stop rotatably mounted upon the dial and adapted to move the finger out of en gagement with the spring contact; and an adjusting element slidably movable to engage the rotatable contact and the stop and rotatablymovable for turning said contact and stop to desired positions upon the dial whereby the circuit maybe closed and broken at desired times; and means for normally.

holding the adjusting element in neutral positron disengaged from both the contact and the stop.

9. 'In a time switch, the combination with of an annular contact mounted upon the dial and connected to one side of an electric circuit; a spring contact mounted upon the hour hand and adapted to maintain connec- -a dial and hour hand of a clock mechanism,

tion with the annular contact; a second annular contact rotatably mounted upon the dial and adapted to maintain connection with the electric circuit said second contact being insulated from the first to normally break the circuit therebetween; a contact finger mounted in connection with the second annular contact and adapted to be engaged by the spring contact whereby the circuit may be closed between the finger and the sprin contact and the annular contact rotated wlth the hour hand and spring contact to maintain a closed connection; a stop rotatably mounted upon the dial andadapted to move the finger out of engage ent with the spring contact when said finge is moved against the stop; concentric annular gears mounted in connection with the ro-' tatable contact and with tne step; a rotatabl'e pinion slidably movable to engage either of said gears whereby the contact and the stop may be turned to positions adapted to close and break the circuit at desired times;

and springs mounted in connection with the pinion for normally holding the same in neutral position out of engagement with both gears.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my signature. v

EDWARD SCHANKE. 

